Since the deadly explosion in Bangkok yesterday, many news outlets around the world have relied on reports from VOA’s Steve Herman, Barry Newhouse, and Zinlat Aung, who were among the first on the scene after the deadly blast hit the Erawan Shrine.
Southeast Asia Correspondent Herman broke the news of the explosion, broadcasting the aftermath live on Periscope. His on the scene reporting prompted many phone calls to VOA’s Washington News Center from around the world requesting both VOA’s footage and interviews with Herman and Newhouse. Media outlets including BBC, ABC News, USA Today, CNN, KTLA, Mashable, Los Angeles Post-Examiner and many more have cited VOA's reporting in their coverage of the Bangkok bombing. AP and Reuters distributed Voice of America’s on scene video to their clients across the globe. Interviews provided by Herman and Newhouse were featured on BBC Radio channels and programs, New Zealand Radio, W Radio Colombia, BBC World Service TV, CTV, Channels TV as well as other international and local networks. Herman appeared in a television package on NBC Nightly News and his reporting was featured prominently on the CBS Evening News.
“These reporters typify the aggressiveness and enthusiasm that make VOA a news leader,” said VOA Acting Director Kelu Chao. “We are using new media to help deliver breaking stories like this in keeping with our commitment to timely and accurate journalism.”
Herman’s timely reporting comes from his constant activity on social media. No stranger to breaking news on all platforms, Herman has over 38,000 followers on Twitter and regularly brings people up to date on the latest news from his region, providing reliable, on-the-ground reporting when it’s needed the most.
